Chocolate World Expo brings sweet treats to the Maritime Aquarium

Published 3:58 pm, Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The World Chocolate Expo will be held at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Sunday, Jan. 27.

The World Chocolate Expo will be held at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Sunday, Jan. 27.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Chocolate World Expo brings sweet treats to the Maritime Aquarium

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For the vendors on hand at the upcoming Chocolate World Expo at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, there's hardly anything you can't dip in chocolate.

There's chocolate-covered pickles and pretzels, waffles and strawberries, Oreos and marshmallows -- or, what about some chocolate-covered bacon?

"The more unusual it is, the more people seem to like it," said Marvin Baum, the producer of the Chocolate World Expo. "That's the kind of demand there is."

Taking place on Sunday Jan. 27 (only three weeks before Valentine's Day), the Expo features more than 30 local vendors who will offer tastings of their sweet treats -- tarts, truffles, fudge, fondue, gelato, bon bons.

And that is just a small sampling of all the sugary goodness (and other artisanal foods such as wine, cheese, coffee and pastries) that will be on display.

Baum said the Chocolate World Expo is for people who are serious about chocolate -- not for folks looking to load up on candy commonly available in grocery aisles.

He added that there are a number of "exceedingly creative vendors," including one business that makes a limited-edition chocolate vinaigrette.

The Expo will take place in Newman's Own Hall (near the seals) and throughout the Aquarium's galleries, which will be open to visitors at no extra cost. After gazing at the chocolate fountain, visitors might want to take a gander at the touch tanks, too.

"The Maritime Aquarium is such a great facility that there are only a few extreme ways to make it better -- and one very appealing idea is to add in pounds and pounds of the finest chocolate in the world," said Chris Loynd, marketing director for the aquarium.

Baum knows that many people are trying to stick to New Year's resolutions to eat right and lose weight. But, he said, "some chocolate can be part of healthy diet" since it is high in antioxidants.

Of course, others will simply want to indulge their cravings for the richest, most sinful chocolates available -- and for that, Baum will oblige.

"You just have to use word chocolate and people are interested," he said. "Their ears perk up, their eyes get wide open and their mouth starts to water."